Let's Reconnect with Breanna Jayne Sada

On this episode Breanna Jayne Sada is joined by Victoria Barendsen from The Safe Kids Project to discuss how to prevent Child Sexual Abuse. We discuss if it is possible for our children to have safe sleep overs and how teaching children about consent and their bodies works in combating child sexual abuse. Please take a moment to follow the podcast, rate us and share this episode with a friend who has children and would be interested. If you are in Australia and worried about yourself or someone else and would like to speak with someone about anything in this episode you can contact 1800 RESPECT If you are in New Zealand and would like to speak to someone you can contact Safe to Talk

In this weeks Episode of Let's Reconnect Breana is joined by Dr Brad Marshall (AKA The Unplugged Psychologist) Dr Brad is recognised as one of Australia’s leading experts in excessive internet and screen use otherwise known as Internet Addiction or Gaming Disorder. As the Director of The Screen & Gaming Disorder Clinic; Australia’s first established specialty clinic, he is a well-respected presenter and speaker on the topic, frequenting schools, health, and corporate organisations around Australia.  He is the author of three best-selling international books. Brad also conducts research with world leading academics at Macquarie University and published Australia’s first ever clinical treatment trials for smartphone addiction and gaming disorder. Brad is an Adjunct Fellow at the School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University. In this episode we discuss the dangers of screens and gaming what to look out for that may indicate problematic gaming or screen use. We discuss the social media age delays and how societal perceptions of screen use has change in recent years. We talk about Roblox and other gaming platforms predators are using to gain access to our children. We talk about how to make gaming safer for our children including the problem of relaying on parental controls and what has come out of recent research. Send this to another parent who has a gaming console in their house or who is thinking about introducing one or if you know their child is on Roblox or Discord. You can see Brad's website here

On this weeks episode we are discussing why its so important to have uncomfortable conversations with our children. Our children have natural curiosities about lots of things including drugs and alcohol, relationships and all the things that make parents squirm. With exposure to these topics happening at younger and younger ages it has never been more important for parents to present themseleves as a safe calm adult to have these conversations with. Boys as young as 9 are being exposed to porn, children aged 11 and 12 have self reported that they have tried alcohol and drugs. Puberty especially for girls is happening at an increasingly younger age. If our children's natural curiosities are not being addresses and questions not being answered by their parents they will go elsewhere for these answers to their normal questions. In this episode im joined by a parent who recently had an uncomfortable conversation with their child and we discuss what it was how it went what preparation they did and why they felt it was important that the information came from them.During the episode this parent speaks about a great book that I have linked here for you to look at (not sponsored) Michelle Mitchell's A Girl's Guide to Puberty that helped them have a helpful conversation with their child about pubertyWe also discuss the new Chat GPT Health update that has been released

In this weeks minisode we discuss that often a parents worry for their child is displayed as anger and how this can impact relationships with our children when we misrepresent our worry. We discuss that anger is actually a secondary emotion and when we deal and display the primary emotion we are less likely to progress to anger. We also discuss the Netflix documentary The Evil Influencer the Jodi Hildebrant story - you can see the Guardians article on it here. I reflect on important learning we can all take away and some warnings about engaging the wrong therapist.

The Social Media Age limits came into effect on December 10 2025. The Government released stats on January 15 2026 advising 4.7million accounts have been deactivated or restricted since the ban came into effect. Here is an article from the ABC that discusses the Government report on the first month since the ban came into effect. In today's episode we speak with two Australian teenagers impacted by the social media ban to get their take on what the first month has been like and if the ban has changed how they are socialising or spending time online. Lets just say there seems to have been mixed results! We also discuss some news stories including; Barbies new collaboration with the Autism Self Advocacy Network - with the release of Autistic Barbie The Importance of Family Rituals like Games nights and Family Dinners -

You can visit the Feel the Magic Organisation via their website to look at their online and in person programs and to make a referral. Thank you again to Kristy Thomas for joining us to discuss how adults can support a child who is greving the loss of a family member. Grief support is also available via GriefLine in Australia from 8am - 8pm on 1300 845 745 Here is the article published by the Guardian about the Grok Statement from X regarding them putting in a Geoblock on users creating sexualised and child pornographic material in counties where it is illegal.

On this week's Episode of Let's Reconnect we are joined by former Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic. We discuss her unique journey from graduating with an honours degree in psychology to becoming Miss Universe Australia and her time at the Miss Universe International Pageant in Las Vegas. Her challenges on Survivor and her learnings after becoming a mother. Monika helps me answer some listener questions and we reflect on 16 years of friendship!

Are you worried about your child's behaviour? Maybe it's their gaming or phone use that's worrying you or maybe its their attitude towards their school, studies or sporting endeavours.In this mini episode "minisode" of Let's Reconnect Breanna takes you through the Stages of Change Model - a therapeutic model professionals use when working with someone who is wanting to change a problematic behaviour. We discuss how parents or people worried about a child's behaviour can tailor their conversations, support and approach to children or teens based on where they are along the 'stages of change'.